Scene: Berkshire Young Professionals' bash goes back in time

The second annual bash at the museum is a huge opportunity for us, as young professionals, to show that we can answer the age-old question, ‘What can you do in the Berkshires?’”

Berkshire Young Professionals Chairman Jonah Sykes

By Janel Harrison, Special to The Eagle

PITTSFIELD — Entering the Berkshire Museum on Friday night was like stepping into a time machine: The Berkshire Young Professionals’ Back in Time Bash went all out to transport and entertain.

What fun it was to unveil each room and find a meshing of eras where you have to scratch your head and ask yourself, “What year is it anyway?”

More than 100 guests attended Berkshire Young Professionals Back in Time Bash. Guests were invited to dress for the theme: “Come in old-timey or futuristic attire. If that’s not for you, then come as you are and be dressed for the present.”

Also, there to welcome guests at BYP’s annual museum party, Chairman Jonah Sykes said, “The second annual bash at the museum is a huge opportunity for us as young professionals to show that we can answer the age-old question, ‘What can you do in the Berkshires?’”

THE ATMOSPHERE

A ticket to the bash also gave one the chance to win one of three prizes: A ride on a PistenBully groomer at Jiminy Peak; a ticket to the May 19 opening celebration of “Party for Guitar: The Instrument that Rocked the World” at the Berkshire Museum; or dinner at Mission Bar and Tapas.

With an array of activities to choose from like the timeless games of corn hole to a life-sized Jenga, to pinball trebuchet to roaring karaoke, moving into jamming dance party that question was not only answered, but tested and proven.

And to capture evidence, guests flew to the cosmic photo booth where shooting amongst the stars was done by photographer James Hall of James Hall Events.

“This has been a blast the last two years, and for a great cause with really good people,” Hall said.

Amid sparkles of color in vintage formal wear to metallic frocks spun about rooms and onto the dance floor and

Just who was there to deejay this Back in Time Bash? None other than Gabriel Squailia of BFG Enterprises, whose music choices poured from the amplifiers washing the walls in sound and reverberation.

Floating above the dance floor were projections of clips from comedy shows and sitcoms throughout decades, which added to the ambience of time configuration.

Vincent Barile, of Barile Environmental, and Ron Marcella, of Marcella Building and Renovation in Pittsfield, were there to network and talk about the family business and their readiness to step into their fathers’ shoes.

“You could say we’re young entrepreneurs,” said Barile with a smile.

Just around the corner were Arcema Abegaz of the BYP Steering Committee and Harrison Ungar who had just met one another.

“These events are amazing where you get to meet people like this,” said Abegaz gesturing toward Ungar.

‘It’s great to be involved in the political sphere and meet other aspiring business professionals,” said Ungar.

DANCING AND KARAOKE

On the dance floor, Steve Kopiec of Sandisfield said he was there for DJ Squailia and “to meet new and cool people.”

Meanwhile, over in the karaoke room, vocalists were really turning up the volume, starting a dance party, and crooning to their favorite classic tunes.

Jim Campagne, of Pittsfield, who had transformed himself into a rock star for the night, said, “I always love the Berkshire Museum and that they do these kinds of things you wouldn't normally find in a museum.”

Liz Hartung, a professor at MCLA, dressed in her circa 1930s lime green dress and ivory, laced-up boots, said, “It’s great to be celebrating in this atmosphere and to roam free in the museum.”

In the next room, Jenga opponents were sitting in a circle (talk about pensive concentration) and barely gave a glance while having their photos snapped for fear of the tower coming down.

The night ended after the clock struck 12 and guests had to plant themselves back in the present and return home.

Thanks to all the diligent hard work and dedication of the BYP board and staff, the night was once again a blast from the past and a ride into the future. People came together to celebrate their youth and ambition in the pursuit of their dreams in the Berkshires.

ABOUT BYP

BYP is an organization that connects individuals ages 21 to 40; however, there’s no age limit and they do “encourage locals over 40 to participate, mentor and help connect the next generation with different opportunities.”

BYP focuses on building resources that foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and small business expansion in the economic sectors of a creative economy, tourism industry, agricultural and food production, advanced manufacturing, plastics, health and wellness, and nonprofits.

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